Suspension devices fixed on receptacles,in particular on metal receptacles



June 10, 1969 A. L. M. JEANNEAU 3,448,893 SUSPENSION DEVICES FIXED ON RECEPTACLES, IN PARTICULAR OF METAL RECEPTACLES Filed Aug. 5, 1966 FIG.]

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m w 0 m W] Z M v.5 Z l w A 'A TTOR/VEYS United States Patent Cffice 3,448,893 Patented June 10, 1969 Int. Cl. 1365a 1/16 US. Cl. 220-91 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a receptacle suspension device com prising a flexible wide strap-like central gripping section and a radially deformable mounting piece integrally formed at each end thereof for attachment to a receiving boss on a receptacle, each mounting piece including a cylindriform pivot mounting portion ending in a frustoconical end portion having at one end a diameter greater than that of the cylindriform mounting portion to provide a retaining shoulder projection and at its other end a diameter less than the diameter of the cylindrical mounting portion thereby to provide a free insertion end portion, the frusto-conical portions thus being readily placeable in opposed axial alignment.

The present invention relates to suspension devices fixed on receptacles, in particular on metal receptacles, for the purpose of facilitating the carrying of the receptacles by hand.

These suspension devices generally comprise a handle which it is necessary to fix to the receptacle in such manner that the said handle can be pivoted back laterally at the moment when the receptacle is open, so as to permit free access of the contents.

For this purpose, it has already been proposed to pierce the wall of the receptacle with two diametrically-opposite openings and to engage in said openings, studs, generally of synthetic material, intended to permit the pivotal movement of the extremities of the handle, which are shaped to that end.

In practice, it is almost impossible to obtain absolute fluid-tightness with this mounting and undesirable lea'kages are often observed between the studs and their associated openings. In addition, this arrangement does not lend itself to the production of a pivotal bearing surface having a large diameter, in view of the fact that, in order to ensure that the stud is correctly held in its opening, it is necessary to limit the diameter of this latter. In addition, it happens fairly frequently that a small wrenching force is sufiicient to extract the handle suddenly from its studs, due to the nature of the material constituting the studs, for which relative elasticity is necessary so as to ensure to the maximum extent the fluid-tightness of the mounting, and also due to the small diameter of the pivotal surface.

It has also been proposed to add pivotal lugs, generally of metal, to the wall of the receptacle, using a method which leaves the wall quite intact, such as insetting or welding for example, in association with a suspension handle obtained by bending and rolling a steel wire, the extremities of which are engaged in opening formed for that purpose in each of the lugs.

This mounting is inherently free from leakages, but as the diameter of the steel wire is generally small so as not to increase the weight of the whole article unduly, this results on the one hand in a certain discomfort for the person who carries the receptacle, especially if the latter is of large capacity, and on the other hand in a rapid deterioration of the lugs, due to the fact that the pivotal bearing surface is small and in consequence the distribution of the force due to the weight of the receptacle is effected over a relatively-small surface. Under these conditions, it frequently happens that the handle escapes rapidly, in an unexpected manner, from the pivotal lugs.

The present invention has for its object to eliminate these disadvantages.

A suspension device for receptacles, in particular for metal receptacles, comprises, according to the invention, t-wo rigid bosses, for example of metal, fixed on the wall of the receptacle in diametrically-opposite positions with respect to each other, and each pierced with a circular opening, in combination with a suspension handle provided at each of its extremities with an end piv'otal piece which is elastically deformable radially, the said end piece being thus adapted to be introduced by force into the opening of one of the said bosses, for the pivotal fixation of the said handle on the receptacle.

According to a preferred form of construction, each pivotal end-piece comprises externally a cylindrical pivotal bearing surface formed between the handle and a hooking notch, the said surface having a diameter slightly less than that of the associated opening in the'boss, and the said hooking notch having externally a. frusto-conical surface formed between a hooking section, the nearest to the pivotal bearing surface, and an inlet section, farthest away from the pivotal bearing surface, the said hooking and pivotal sections having respectively diameters greater and less than that of the opening of the associated boss, each pivotal end-member being also preferably provided with a blind axial housing in order to facilitate its radial deformation during its introduction into the associated boss.

This arrangement lends itself without difiiculty to the production of pivotal bearing surfaces of large diameter, ensuring a better distribution of the bearing force on the bosses so as to relieve the stresses on the latter and ensuring, conjointly with the strength which it is possible to give these bosses, an engagement of the pivotal endmembers in these bosses capable of resisting a wrenching force much greater than that of the devices at present known.

In addition, this arrangement is especially suitable for the production of suspension handles of moulded material, to which it is possible to give a substantial width, ensuring a comfortable grip. Finally, in combination with such a handle of moulded material, the bosses are preferably of metal and are fixed on the wall of the receptacle by any method which leaves this wall intact,'; the mounting being then strictly protected against leakages The characteristic features and advantages of the invention will furthermore be brought out in the description which follows below of one form of embodiment given solely by way of example and without limitation, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a receptacle provided with a suspension device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial vie-w in cross-section of this receptacle, to a larger scale; 7

FIG. 3 is a .view similar to FIG. 2 and refers to an alternative form of construction;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and refers to an alternative form of construction.

According to the form of construction chosen and shown in these drawings, the suspension device according to the invention comprises a handle 10 of moulded p1as tic material, provided at each of its extremities with a pivotal end-piece 11 engaged in a metal boss 12, which is pierced for that purpose with an opening 13 extended 3 towards the interior of the boss by a small cylindrical collar 14.

The end-piece 11 has a cylindrical bearing surface 15 followed by a hooking notch or shoulder 16, the outer wall of which is frusto-conical. The bearing surface 15 has an axial size slightly greater than that of the collar L14 and a diameter slightly less than that of the said collar, while the outer frusto-conical surface of the notch 16 is formed between an end hooking section 17, closest to the surface 115, having a diameter greater than that of the collar '14 of the boss, and an end entry section 18, farthest away from the surface 15 and having a diameter less than that of the collar 14 of the boss. In addition, the end piece 11 is provided with a blind housing 20.

The end-piece 11 is engaged by force in the associated boss '12, and during the course of this engagement it is radially deformed in all angular directions. This deformation is facilitated by the presence of the housing 20, while the penetration of the end-piece I11 into the boss is facilitated by the frusto-conical shape of the hooking notch 16. When once the booking section 17 of this latter has passed beyond the extremity of the collar '14 of the boss, the end-piece 11 returns elastically to its initial shape, the hooking notch 16 then ensuring a strong attachmen of the end-piece 11 in the associated boss.

In accordance with the form of construction shown in FIG. 2, the bos \12 is inset in the wall 21 of the receptacle. As an alternative shown in FIG. 3, it is fixed on by welding or sticking, following any appropriate method. However this may be, it does not interrupt the continuity of the wall 21 and permits the formation of a pivotal surface of large diameter, that is to say of a bearing surface having a diameter at least equal to the axial dimension of the whole of the end-piece.

It will be appreciated that the end-pieces according to the invention are particularly suitable, preferably in combination with metal bosses, for the utilization of handles of moulded material, which may for this reason he provided with a central gripping section 22 which is as wide as may be desired. The end-pieces '11 can be moulded in one single piece with the said handle, as shown.

The present invention is of course not limited to the form of construction described and shown, but includes all alternative constructions, especially as regards the shape of the suspension handle; in this respect there has been shown as an alternative in FIG. 4, a handle having thinner portions 23 in the vicinity of the pivotal end-pieces.

I claim:

1. A receptacle and a suspension device therefore, said receptacle including two rigid and hollow bosses secured at two diametrically oppositely disposed wall portions of the receptacle by means leaving said wall portions devoid of ingress or egress permitting openings, each of said boss having a mounting opening into the hollow interior thereof and defined by an inwardly turned cylindrical wall, and said suspension device comprising a flexible wide straplike central gripping section and a radially deformable mounting end piece integrally formed at each end of said central section and including a cylindrical portion engaged in one said boss cylindrical wall and having an outer diameter normally greater than the inner diameter of the mounting opening defined thereby and a frusto-conical end portion projected through one said cylindrical wall defined opening and having at its inner end extremity a diameter less than that of the mounting opening and at its outer end extremity a diameter greater than that of the mounting opening and providing a retaining shoulder resisting retraction through the particular Wall defined mounting opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,088,605 8/1937 McCarthy 220-91 3,158,285 11/ 1964 Curtiss 220-9l 3,248,002 4/1966 Song 220-94 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 28,17 3 4/ 1955 Great Britain.

805,214 12/ 8 Great Britain. 1,217,771 12/1959. France. 1,161,601 3/1958 France.

RAPHAEL H. SCHWAIRTZ, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE C ERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 448, 893 Dated June 10, 1969 Inventor) Adrien Louis Marie Jeanneau It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

,- Column 4, claim 1, line 13 thereof, change "greater" to ---lesser--.

SIGNED AND SEALED luvs .1970

Attest:

wh I WEI LIAM E: SOHUYLER, JR- Edmr dominion of Patents Attesting Officer 

